Oscar De La Hoya sees no debate on the greatest Mexican fighter in boxing history, backing one man ‘1000% percent.’
‘The Golden Boy’ had an accomplished professional career of his own, winning world titles across six weight classes before he announced his retirement back in 2009.
Whilst he suffered a handful of defeats throughout the course of his tenure, De La Hoya produced a number of legacy-defining victories along the way, defeating the likes of Fernando Vargas, Ike Quartey and Pernell Whitaker.
Another legendary opponent that he faced during his career was Mexican icon Julio Cesar Chavez, who is widely considered to be one of the best fighters to have ever laced up a pair of gloves.
De La Hoya racked up two wins over Chavez but ‘The Golden Boy’ maintains that the Mexican great was one of, if not the best fighter that he ever faced.
In a resurfaced interview, De La Hoya didn’t hesitate to name his former rival as the greatest Mexican fighter to have ever graced the sport in his opinion.
“I agree a thousand percent. If somebody’s gonna tell me that there’s somebody better than Julio Cesar Chavez, say it to my face.”
In a decorated professional career that lasted 25-years, Chavez fought on no less than 115 occasions and became a world champion in several divisions before his retirement in 2005.
The Mexican icon remained unbeaten for an outstanding 90 fights before he eventually suffered the first defeat of his career to American Frankie Randall when they locked horns for the WBC light-welterweight title in January 1994.
Chavez defeated Randall in their rematch just months later and would go on to share the ring with the likes of De La Hoya, Meldrick Taylor and Tim Tszyu in the years that followed.
